Hi there - newbie interested in group Sc

[605]

Greetings, I've been reading posts on this forum some time with great interest, and thought I'd better join up.

I've been toying with the idea of getting involved with the group Sc racing, in an Alfa of corse, and will be looking for advice. I'm not a big budget guy so very keen to find out more about what is possible and if there are any suitable cars coming up for sale.

Nearly forgot, I'm in Sydney!

Cheers,
Peter

[alfagtv58]

Hi Peter,

Welcome 

Do yourself a favour and check this one out.  It's in Victoria, but far less than build cost.

http://www.alfaclubvic.org.au/forum/index.php?topic=7665.0

[twistybits]

Welcome Peter,
I totally concur with Alfagtv58.
This car is tremendously good value!
If I wasn't committed with another venture I would be on it like a rash.
Good luck with your search.   

[Rob Berson]

Peter

PM sent.

Rob

[605]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the advice. I did see the Victorian one, very nice indeed, but I don't think that is an entry-level car. Well that's my excuse anyway since it's way, way over my budget.

P

[twistybits]

Peter,
Here are a few car a little closer to home:
http://my105.com/ListingDetails/tabid/65/p/66/id/4633/Default.aspx
http://my105.com/ListingDetails/tabid/65/p/44/id/5020/Default.aspx
Motor racing is an expensive passion and it gets very expensive unless you are mechanically skilled enough to do most of the race prep yourself). If you are on a tight budget then group Sc may not be a great starting point.
I think those who are currently running around in Sc or in the midst of preparing a car would agree that to get into a race ready car with a fresh motor for under $30K is very good going.
If you really want to get into motor sport and your on a tight budget the Formula Vee might be a very good starting point.
Cheers
Andy

[hmd]

Marcus' car is a steal at 25K, probably 60% of the build cost plus the fact it would have taken at least 2 years of time to get all those works done.

A 20K-30K group S car is entry level and that's just the capital cost. You will need to add running cost on top.

[605]

Hm,

Thanks for the advice guys. I was expecting a much lower entry cost. Something like $3k for a car and another $2-3k to fix it up, and that should qualify for group S. The regulations are in place to keep the cars essentially the way they came out of the factory?

What am I missing?

[Paul Gulliver]

What am I missing

Probably about 100bhp, race tyres ,safety equipment etc etc etc . Go have a closer look at how good  the group s cars really are. If you purchased any older Alfa for $3000 i doubt you could get it RWC for another $2000, let alone ready for the track.

I don't know if you have done any motor sport, but alfa clubs in most states are a great place to start. Go enter a club sprint meeting in your daily driver or a "suitably equipped older Alfa" 

[Evan Bottcher]

Something like $3k for a car and another $2-3k to fix it up, and that should qualify for group S.

I don't mean to be negative, but a CAMS-approved safety cage alone would absorb your $2-3k of improvements.  I think you could probably build a car that would comply and pass scrutiny for under $8k but you'd be very uncompetitive.

Totally echo Gully's sentiments - if you haven't done much motorsport in the past, then suggest getting going in the supersprints first.  For under $5k you could build a fun and reliable club sprint car, if you enjoy that then go and do a more serious event like the 6-hour relay.

But hey - don't want to discourage you.  Have a go!

[hmd]

Even putting aside the 'competitiveness' of the car.
To make a car reliable and safe for club track day requires $$$
To make a car reliable and safe for racing requires even more $$$ because the races are often longer format than a sprint session with a much higher intensity.

[aggie57]

Maybe we should start a "shit box sprinter" category at Alfa club events.  Lordy knows we've had a few over the years!

[605]

Thanks guys, all makes sense. I think the difference of views stems from wanting to be competitive, versus  just 'having a go.'

I have done a number of supersprints and am now ready for regularity racing, before taking on 'real' racing so I'm under no illusions. I have looked at a number of race cars already (admittedly none of them Alfas) but the problem is they were built to go fast, rather than for a particular category. That's why the Group S has such an appeal. And the other reason, is that I haven't had an Alfa yet, and man do they know how to design a good looking car!

So, the search goes on....



P.S. I'm a starter for the Shitbox Sprinter Racing!